" The Dinar Daily ", Monday, 7 October 2013

Barzani, the United Nations envoy: we were wronged in the previous Iraq elections
07-10-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

Erbil: «Middle East»
Search Massoud Barzani, President of Kurdistan Region, the repercussions of the dispute happening between Iraqi political blocs on the Law of the upcoming parliamentary elections with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, stressing that «Kurdistan is keen to ensure the operation and success of the political process in Iraq, but there are principles and foundations democracy , and justice should be taken into account in the upcoming elections.
Barzani said during a meeting yesterday Nikolai Mladenov, who visited him and his entourage to get acquainted and discuss the latest developments of Iraq: «The rate of participation in the Kurdish legislative elections that took place in 2010 was very high, but nevertheless took a great injustice to the Kurdish people in relation to the number of seats representative Parliament, and therefore required in the next parliamentary election is to adopt a uniform basis to all of Iraq's provinces, and you should not pay the Kurds tax low participation of the rest of the ingredients in the elections of the next parliament, if repeated previous case and denied the Kurds their rights, it is our right to reject the election results or participation ». Barzani pointed out that «there is a committee formed of representatives of the Kurdish forces to negotiate the terms and clauses of the law of elections with the parties and other political blocs in Iraq, and wait for the results of those consultations to determine the position of the overall operation.
Barzani talked about the Kurdish National Congress expected, adding that «the essence and content of the message of the Kurds this conference is to confirm the desire and aspirations of the Kurdish people for peace and national dialogue and resolve issues through negotiation and dialogue, democratic construction.
For his part, envoy of the Secretary-General that he is happy his visit to Kurdistan, expressing the hope that the parties are unable coordination and fruitful cooperation in order to overcome the problems of Iraq, and said that «the United Nations and through her own Iraq is ready to help the Iraqi parties and support the political process, although Kurdistan achieved significant progress should be an example and a model for the rest of Iraq, pointing out that «in relation to the upcoming elections, the United Nations in favor of the electoral system should be to achieve a broader balanced participation of all components.
While expected to introduce a bill to vote in the elections the Iraqi Council of Representatives on the most important points of contention centered around the constituency, since the Shiite National Alliance calls for the adoption of multiple departments, while the Kurdistan Alliance insists on a single circuit, in addition to the controversy about winning compensatory seats . This is what led the President of the region to invite deputies of the Kurdistan Alliance to its headquarters presidential to discuss with them about the unification of the Kurdish position in Baghdad towards these demands, especially that there are three blocks other Kurdish outside the framework of the Kurdistan Alliance, a mass change and the mass of the Islamic Union and the mass of the Islamic group.
In connection with cute Sheikh Mustafa head of the mass change, who attended the meeting Barzani stressed the «Middle East»: «Despite varying positions with the Kurdistan Alliance, but we Pena invite Barzani not to say that we are our teams grade Kurdish, and we discussed with him the situation on the law of elections, and to show our good and our commitment to unify the Kurdish position gave away our position calling for the circuit multiple, and we like constituency one, and assured them that in case of put this paragraph to the vote, we will vote against it, and we said if they are able Kurdistan Alliance to convince the rest of the Iraqi parties on points of contention other related seats compensatory and other differences, we will not stand against the interest of the unity of the Kurdish position. Asked about the prospects province of Kurdistan Alliance for the voting session Mustafa said: «We will not boycott the meeting, and the leadership of the Kurdistan Alliance, told us this, and we told them we will not stand against the demands, but we will boycott the meeting.
For his part, Saman Fawzi from the Kurdistan Alliance bloc that «the Iraqi masses and National Alliance Samrran the law in today's meeting,« whether the Kurdistan Alliance bloc participated the session or boycotted ».

Kurdistan warns of election law passed the "majority" and renews claim per circuit
07-10-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

 Baghdad / Mohammad Sabah
New Kurdistan Alliance, on Sunday, adherence to the requirement of the adoption of a single circuit in the election law, stressing the need for "consensus" to pass the law, but at the same time warned of the adoption of the principle of majority vote because it يؤزم the relationship between the region and the center.
The PKK called for increased number of seats in the networking component, called for lowering the age of candidacy to 28 years, and the adoption of a minimum of prep certificate, and refused to nominate ban dual nationality.
In turn, suggested the postponement of the Iraqi elections in the event of the failure of the settlement blocs acceptable. While A member of the legal committee for a clear contrast between what is demanded by the PKK and the National Alliance, referring to the Arab-Kurdish consensus for the inclusion "privacy of Kirkuk" within the electoral law without "the equal division of positions between the components," which was rejected by the Turkmen.
Even hours preparing the report, did not nominate a lengthy meeting of the parliamentary blocs, something about to reach a compromise formula, on the eve of the meeting scheduled to vote on the election law.
The coalition of state law, predicted on Saturday that is migrated to vote on the election law until after the holiday of Eid al-Adha next, while likely boycott by some political blocs next meeting of the Council of Representatives, confirmed his refusal to extend the work of the Council, stressing the "inevitable" the legislative elections on schedule selected.
The Presidency of the Council of Representatives decided to raise the hearing Thursday to Monday after the Kurdistan Alliance pledged to vote on the proposal to amend the law of parliamentary elections.
The MP stressed pro-Tayeb, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Alliance parliamentary bloc, said that "the presidency of Kurdistan and the Kurdish blocs agreed on a unified stance on the law for the parliamentary elections in 2014," pointing out that "the Kurdish forces with the legislation of the law in accordance with the principle of consensus."
He said Tayeb, in connection with the "long" yesterday, saying that "the situation of Kurdistan boils down to making Iraq a single constituency with the distribution of compensatory seats on the ratio of the number of votes not on the basis of the number of seats obtained by the masses," adding "and we get a proposal to grant component networking seats within Quota seats. "
He said a spokesman for the Kurdistan Alliance bloc "We also call for the adoption of the way Saint Lego average rather than Hundt," and likely "to postpone the enactment of the parliamentary elections until after the holiday in the event of disagreement between the political blocs on a common formula on the law," stressing "the need to give the area for the enactment of an integrated ".
He warned supporters Tayyip of "pass the election law the way you passed out a draft federal budget for 2013 to vote on the majority is not in compliance," adding that "pass the budget by majority cause the occurrence crisis between Baghdad and Erbil," hoping the political blocs, "not to repeat the pass majority voting because we are in Stage agree. "
Felt good that "the majority voting on the election law means that we will emerge drafted lean does not fit with some political parties to effectively participate in the upcoming elections," denying that the Kurdistan Alliance, a reason to impede the adoption of the election law, "adding that" all the political blocs have the observations and attitudes . "
And draws good that "the Kurdistan Alliance calls for reducing the age of the candidate to 28 years instead of 30 years old and be in possession of a certificate Preparatory older," expressing his rejection of mass on candidacy dual nationality, citing "the existence of large exiled Iraqi community abroad do not want to stop them from their constitutional right. " For his part, likely Attorney Abdulrahman Alloizi, a member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, said the "vote on the election law in a way the majority in the absence of the political blocs agree on a certain formula."
He Alloizi, in an interview with the "long" yesterday that "the Kurdistan Alliance calls for 75 seats compensatory and insists distributed according to the percentage of votes and to participate in while he wants the National Alliance, the distribution of compensatory on the number of seats by 10% or 32 seats compensatory."
He continues, a member of the legal committee by saying that "Arabs and Kurds agreed to add parts of Article 23, which abolished the court to federal, within the Law on Elections of Kirkuk, and Tdmiha in the new election law, but component Turkmen refused to do so," noting that "which was canceled in Article 23 is a division equal between the components of the province of Kirkuk. "
In turn, did not rule out that the Iraqi political blocs resort to "extend the work of the current parliament" for a specified period of time in case of failure to vote on the election law, and showed that the "blocs agreed by 85% to pass the law."
The MP said Alaa Makki, a member of the Iraqi List, said that "the option to extend the work of the House of Representatives by the political blocs and very likely in the event of the failure of the political consensus and not to vote on the election law."
He Mackie to "the existence of direction and consensus and determination by all political forces to pass the election law and the holding of elections on schedule," stressing that "the proportion of compatibility between these blocks to the electoral law amounted to 85% and there are some simple problems remained unresolved with regard to the demands of each block" .
The MP for the Iraqi List, that "there are efforts made over the past three days preceding the meeting of the Council of Representatives in order to reach a consensus to pass this law," and expressed his belief to "a consensus among all the political blocs to pass the law at a meeting on Monday."

Legal representative: a proposal to increase the seats in parliament in keeping with the law
06-10-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

BAGHDAD - Wayne

Considered the parliamentary legal committee, a proposal to increase the number of seats in parliament as "consistent with the law."

A member of the Committee bright Naji told all of Iraq [where], "The increase is consistent with the law, and we are with this increase," noting that "this increase came to solve problems for the purpose of passing the election law."

In another signal, said Naji it "in relation to quota was in the last session [15] seats at the time was the number of seats in parliament for the provinces [310] seats, but now it has been agreed to increase the seats in parliament members to the [325] seats, thus becoming [30] seats for Kota and distributes them [15] seat pan and minorities [15] Other be distributed to the large blocs. "

The House of Representatives failed more than once to vote on the proposal to amend the election law to the continuing differences between the political blocs.

It is scheduled to vote in its parliament on Monday on the law center weights delay it.

Barzani Calls on Kurdish Bloc in Baghdad to Unite For Changes in Elections Law
By RUDAW

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani has called on all Kurdish MPs in the Iraqi parliament to set aside differences and unite behind an initiative to bring changes in the country’s elections law, including more seats for Shabaks, Yezidis and other minorities.

“President Barzani asked all Kurdish groups to put aside their differences of Kurdistan and act united in Baghdad,” said Muayad Tayib, spokesman of the Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi parliament, after meeting with the Kurdish president at the Pirmam summer resort on Saturday.

He told Rudaw that the Kurdish political parties have drafted a paper to present and debate with other Iraqi leaders in Baghdad.

According to Tayib the Kurds want Baghdad to include a number of clauses in the elections law, such as increasing the quota of the Shabak minority from one seat to two in the national assembly in Baghdad; giving the Yezidis five seats; three seats for the Failis and one for Armenians; and a guarantee that the Christians will retain the five seats they currently hold.

Other proposed changes include giving unaccounted votes to the smaller blocs instead of to the bigger parties.

Iraq’s election law has been contested among Iraq’s Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish groups.

According to a statement from Barzani’s office, all Kurdish parties have agreed to push for their demands in Baghdad. It said that a “united committee representing all parties will be formed to deal with Baghdad on behalf of the Kurds.”

The proposal also calls for voting for the security and armed forces to take place only 48 hours prior to election day.

The current law requires a candidate for a political post to be 28 years or over, but the Kurds want the age requirement to be lowered.

Internet Comment from Kerkuk : In the last Iraqi elections, the PDK invited all Kurdish parties to join one List, but the opposition refused and because of that the Arabs united with the Tukomans won in Kerkuk. If the opposition divides the Kurdish votes again in the Iraqi election, they will prove that they are not patriots. Iraqi elections are different from Kurdistan elections, in elections where we must compete against Arabs, we must unite. - See more at: http://rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/0....FAkifxJe.dpuf

The autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq has traditionally been dominated by the two big parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). But last month’s parliamentary elections broke the PUK’s stranglehold on politics, opening fresh possibilities for a new political culture.

If this trend continues and fair future conditions are created for opposition, Kurdistan can be a model for democracy in the Middle East. This is particularly important now, when the “Arab Spring” has descended into cynicism and the entire region is caught in the gruesome legacy of sectarian violence, fraudulent elections, theocracies and autocracies.

In this neighborhood and under these conditions, it is refreshing to see that Kurds of southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan picked the ballot box again.

The September 21 elections can indeed have three important ramifications.

Firstly, the strong, enthusiastic turnout at the polls reflects the popular commitment to democracy and the will to sustain and cherish the principles of democratic elections. Even optimists were surprised by the turnout: Almost 74 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots for one of several political parties running in for Kurdistan’s own 111-seat legislature. They wanted their voices to be heard for the peaceful transition from a two-party system to a multiparty government that is accountable to the people.

Secondly, officials in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have come to understand that a genuine democracy is not limited to just holding elections. They have understood that genuine elections mean providing equal resources – including media time – to the opposition.

The voters’ desires this time went beyond the reaffirmation of autonomy. They had clustered their demands around various alternatives and possibilities, including principles of freedom, justice, equality and general welfare. Although ruling parties attempted to continue their hegemony, the voters called into question the traditional bipartisan governance.

Thirdly, although the parties in power ran to ensure their re-election, the election results were surprising. The KDP was able to hold on to its leading role. But the PUK’s defeat at the hands of the breakaway Change Movement (Gorran) have forced the PUK to reexamine its place and policies and the reasons behind its decline.

The election results revealed that the PUK’s problems are deep. It had increasingly become a party for members, and pursued its own narrow interests. It failed to expand its base by radicalizing its platform through seeking the greater public good. In other words, it failed to develop politics beyond its seizure of power.

Their conservative politics and call for timid reforms gave way to call for radical reforms by Gorran, which had made a clear break with the past and was preparing the ground for a call for new changes. It did so by questioning the KDP and PUK and keeping both at arm’s length.

Gorran had consistently run on a program sharply critical of the political structure, attacking pervasive corruption, lack of checks-and-balances and the unfair distribution of wealth.

Gorran is now obliged to use this mandate beyond philosophical debates, and must propose and enact real reforms to increase per capita income and reduce social and economic inequalities.

Th Kurds of southern Kurdistan have historically shown that they have a keen understanding and more mature interest in democracy, as well as an unwavering quest for freedom. They showed this again at the polls. Perhaps they have taken a democratic initiative whose implications transcend the Kurdistan Region’s own boundaries.

Dr. Amir Sharifi is president of the Kurdish American Education Society-Los Angeles

Osman exclude the adoption of the electoral law today and warns of the "marginalization" of the Kurds
07-10-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

Range Press / Baghdad

Ruled out the leader of the Kurdistan Alliance, Mahmoud Othman, on Monday, the adoption of the Law of the parliamentary elections during a session of the House of Representatives to be held today, and warned passed without the approval of the Kurdistan Alliance, and while stressing that "the marginalization of the Kurds would harm the political process," expressed their willingness to vote on the law amended .

Said Mahmoud Othman, in an interview, (range Press), "The Kurds Bgenoa in the last election, the number of seats because of the constituencies multi-denominator electoral", describing the demands of the Kurdistan Alliance, "as Iraq as one constituency or replaced to increase the number of compensatory seats and determine the denominator electoral according to Vote The population is not to vote on the law parliamentary elections Balparwah ".

Osman ruled out "vote on the election law during a session of the House of Representatives to be held today, due to the continuing differences," warning passed without the consent of the Kurds being the second component in the country and marginalization would hurt the political process. "

Osman said that "the Kurdistan Alliance have no problem in passing the election law after the Eid al-Adha holiday, as amended, and according to our demands," he said, adding that "it depends on the approval of the political blocs."

Osman expressed support for "the Kurdistan Alliance to hold the elections in accordance with the amended Saint Lego not Havandak system," stressing at the same time, that "the Kurds are ready to agree on the election at a date to be determined everyone."

The head of the Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, a student, on Sunday, (October 6, 2013), the adoption of a system of "constituency" one in the next parliamentary elections, and stressed that the people of the region "subjected to injustice in the 2010 elections," While he stressed that the province " will not pay for the low participation for the rest of the components, "threatened" not to participate in the elections in the event of failure to adopt a single constituency system. "

He urged the UN envoy to Iraq, Nikolay Mladenov, on Sunday, (October 6, 2013), the political parties all to reach a "compromise and appropriate" to the draft electoral law ", returned to the involvement of the components of society are all a" crucial "to the parliamentary elections the timing nor the specific constitutional .

The accused MP from Kirkuk's Arabs Omar al-Jubouri, on Sunday (October 6, 2013), the Kurdistan Alliance to "exploit" divisive political blocs on the electoral law "to stir up" articles on Kirkuk, called the Presidency of the Council of Representatives to end the work as "a game harmonic" As stressed that the Iraqi people will not allow bargaining on Kirkuk and put it on the table of political deals and bargains, carry the historic responsibility of each of "Etwati on Iraqi Kirkuk."

The Aaútlav state law, led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki predicted, on Saturday, (October 5, 2013), migrate to vote on the election law until after the holiday of Eid al-Adha next, while likely boycott by some political blocs next meeting of the Council of Representatives, confirmed his refusal to extend the work of the Council, stressing the "inevitability" of the legislative elections on schedule.

And raised the Presidency of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, (third from October 2013), the meeting of the 25 of the first legislative term of the legislative year the fourth, to Monday, (October 7, 2013), after undertaking the Kurdistan Alliance to vote on the proposed law to amend the law on parliamentary elections.

The decision of the House of Representatives Muhammad Al-Khalidi attributed, in (the third of October 2013), the reasons for postponing the vote on the election law to "incompatibility" the political blocs on some points of contention in the law, noting that those points will be in the form of multiple options are supported which option gets the highest percentage of the vote.

And warned the National Dialogue Front, led by Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq, on Tuesday (the first of September 2013), of trying some of the blocks "to postpone the adoption of the electoral law in order to postpone the elections," and called on religious references to "pressure on the political forces to approve the law," In while stressed the need for "the prohibition of dual nationality to stand for election," demanded "a vote of the public and private sectors on the same day to ensure the integrity of the elections."

This means closed list system that provides political entity list Bmarchah and after ratification by the UNHCR and the end of the deadline for electoral lists and the coalition can not be political entity to change the order of names on the list and announce the winners of the candidates on the list according to the number of votes obtained by the entity and in numerical order contained down menu.

Specialists believe that the ordinary voter to vote for the electoral list he does not know the members of this list, because this is the electoral system does not allow voters to choose no other name from the list pursuant to the free choice (open menu).

Kurdistan Alliance: election law is unfair and will not vote for him
07-10-2013 | (Voice of Iraq)

(Special) ... Deputy for the Kurdistan Alliance Kurdish blocs that will not vote on the electoral law, to be voted on in the meeting of the Council of Representatives on Monday, unless get Itzhakaqatha.
The MP Mahma Khalil in a statement to the Central Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUKcc.org), on Monday, that the meeting of the Council of Representatives today, dedicated to vote on the law, noting that the law in which gaps and overcome the rights, pointing out that the Kurdish blocs met on Saturday with the region's president and formed a committee to review the bill, pointing out that the Kurdish blocs agree he may not encroach upon the rights of the Kurdish people, describing the law Palmgehv and unjust right of the Kurdish people, stressing that the blocs Kurdistan designed and past work to preserve the rights and entitlements of constitutional,
He denied MP Khalil to be Kurdish blocs are hampering pass the law, pointing out that the Kurdish blocs called on the necessity to hold the elections on time, and passing a law is strong and solid and has the gaps, stressing that the differences on the law exists between the National Alliance and the coalition in Iraq, as well as between components the National Alliance, pointing out that these differences are large and deep.
The MP Khalil that the Kurdistan Alliance and clear as requested and underlines the lack of acceptance of the existence of irregularities in this important law, which paints the future of the political process in the country during the next four years, stressing that the Kurdish blocs does not accept what he called dwarf-sized Kurdish, without any database, He stressed that the Kurdish blocs demanded to conduct the general census of the population, and that Iraq will be one circle, referring to the draft law take data from the Ministry of Commerce for the year 2006 of the data base.
The MP Khalil said Kurdish blocs that did not get the entitlements in the bill, and that is not consensus on the law, they will not vote during Monday's session, and may not participate in the upcoming elections, stressing at the same time it can not pass a law without the Kurds, because the Iraqi people are all interested in the law, which requires a consensus, expressing his belief that there are gaps in the law, like some actors in keeping them for the presence of intention to postpone the elections, stressing that the coalition of Kurdish blocs opposed to the law passed this way and porous that it contains.

Kurdistan Alliance threatens not to vote on the election law unless seats are increased for Shabak Minority.
07/10/2013 13:56:00

Baghdad/ NINA /-- Kurdistan Alliance, threatened not to vote on the amending of election law in the absence of parliamentary seats in the quota for Shabak minority.

Deputy chairman of the KA bloc in parliament MP, Mohsen Saadoun said in a press conference held in the parliament building, : " Kurds are with Shabak component request to increase their seats," noting that "the President of Kurdistan region , Massoud Barzani called two days to increase seats of minorities in order to find their representatives in the next parliament."